The Clinical journal of pain
-
Cognitive theories of appraisal argue for the importance of beliefs as determinants of adjustment to stress. The current investigation sought to examine the relation between beliefs about chronic pain and adjustment in a group of chronic pain patients. Patients' belief in themselves as disabled was found to be inversely related to activity level for patients reporting low and medium levels of pain severity. ⋯ Finally, an expressed belief in the appropriateness of solicitous responses from family members was negatively related to psychological functioning for patients reporting relatively low levels of pain. Although these findings support the broad-based hypothesis that the illness-relevant beliefs of chronic pain patients are associated with their multidimensional pain adjustment, they emphasize the importance of beliefs concerning whether or not one is disabled by pain. The findings also highlight the fact that the belief/functioning relation is not always direct and can be moderated by perceived pain severity.
-
One hundred fifty randomly selected hospitalized children between the ages of 4-14 were interviewed to assess their pain experience in the hospital. Follow-up information was obtained through parent interviews 3 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months later. On enrollment, more than 87% of children reported having had pain within 24 h and, of those, 19% reported their usual pain intensity as in the severe range. ⋯ In spite of these reports of significant pain by a substantial number of children during hospitalization, at the 3-week follow-up check, by parent report, 68% were pain free. The parents of those with pain were contacted at 3 and 6 months postenrollment, and 96% of children were no longer experiencing pain. Five children reported pain at all contact points; three of these were suffering chronic diseases and the other two had suffered major trauma from motor-vehicle accidents.
-
Spinal cord injury (SCI) can cause paralysis; sensory impairment; autonomic nervous system dysfunction; and bowel, bladder, and sexual dysfunction. These impairments may lead to immobility, physical dependence, and alterations in lifestyle and self-esteem. The addition of chronic, intractable pain to these impairments can be truly devastating. ⋯ Thus, it may become impossible for the individual to escape his or her pain even temporarily. The various medical, physical, and surgical treatments considered to be efficacious in treating this pain are reviewed. However, although chronic pain in SCI may be managed by these therapies, a permanent cure may not result.
-
Currently, no literature is available regarding the clinical efficacy and treatment outcome of psychological interventions for chronic pain among spinal cord injured (SCI) persons. The present article provides a framework for cognitive-behavioral interventions used with other pain populations and suggested application for the SCI population with chronic pain. ⋯ SCI rehabilitation has traditionally relied upon self-management strategies, as have recent psychological treatment approaches for chronic pain. In addition, recommendations for treatment outcome research are provided with the emphasis on using existing standardized assessment and measurement protocols.
-
The problem of severe chronic pain following spinal cord injury (SCI) has been well delineated for many years. However, progress has been slow in determining which treatment procedures work for which type of SCI pain in a particular individual at a particular time. ⋯ Design limitations of many existing studies that can be remedied in future investigations are reviewed. Finally, discussion of two conceptual models of SCI pain is presented and an argument raised for the utility of both.